The 32nd flock, which has been contributing to the National Air Defense, starting from today will ensure, without interruption - with the F-35A aircraft assigned to the 13th Flying Group - also the NATO QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) service to defend the airspace of the Atlantic Alliance.
In the case of a possible "scramble" order by the competent Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) of NATO, 5a generation F-35 will take off in a few minutes to intercept and identify any suspicious aircraft, contributing with specific operational and technological capabilities of the latest generation to the alarm service.
The 13th flying group, which has already gained considerable experience in the international arena, participating in the activities of Air Policing of NATO in Iceland and Estonia, in addition to ensuring the QRA service from its mother base, will continue in parallel to train its crews for the multiple and further uses that the platform allows. The F-35 aircraft, in fact, is a weapon system of 5a generation equipped with a spectrum of operational capabilities such as to allow the simultaneous and autonomous carrying out of all missions of the aerotactic doctrine.
The 32 ° flock, based in Amendola (Foggia), is one of the flight departments of the Italian Air Force dependent on the Air Force Command of Rome, through the Combat Force Command of Milan.
First Department in Europe to operate with the F-35A aircraft, since March 2018 it has been integrated into the National Air Defense system, contributing to the defense of the Italian skies with specific operational capabilities and latest generation technology. After achieving the Initial Operational Capability (IOC), which took place in 2018, has participated since 2019 in the NATO Operations of Air Policing outside national borders.
Since February 2020, the 32nd wing is the only unit on the European scene that jointly employs both F-35A (CTOL) and F-35B (STOVL) contributing, with the 5th generation aircraft, to the Expeditionary capacity of the Armed Force. Furthermore, using the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (APR) MQ1-C and MQ9-A, the department carries out Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Recoinnissance (ISTAR), both national and coalition. Finally, through the MB-339 aircraft, the 32nd wing completes the training of the APR pilots to maintain an adequate operational level on traditional piloted aircraft.
